How a great base inspires appetizer options

November 20, 2017

From Pierce Chicken.

Appetizers tap into a number of foodservice trends: the penchant for sharing, a fondness for snacking, as a complement to drinks and as a way to get an order started while the rest of the menu gets a closer look. They also provide an important first impression. Assembling a killer app lineup, then, is essential.

With labor at a premium, food costs on the rise and the pressure to get appetizer orders out to tables quickly, cross-utilization is a no-brainer. Riffing off an appetizer menu built around a few strategically chosen proteins and traditional best sellers is one way to ensure profitability and minimize potential waste.

Chicken wings and beyond

A product like chicken, for example, taps into consumer demand while also providing the flexibility to be made into many dishes—wings, skewers, nuggets, tenders and more.Wings have earned a solid place on many appetizer and bar bites menus, and operators have found ways to keep them interesting with dipping sauce flavors that stray way beyond the standard ranch. The New York State-based Planet Wings offers something for everyone, from seven styles of barbecue sauce to lemon pepper, butter garlic, Cajun and even “suicidal” hot sauces.

But wings are only the tip of the iceberg. According to Technomic’s 2017 Starters, Small Plates and Sides report, 41% of consumers said if appetizers featuring chicken strips, nuggets or tenders were available, they would be likely to order them at least occasionally. Breaded chicken strips are the most popular appetizer—not surprising, given the surging appetite for fried chicken, tenders and chicken sandwiches in recent years—and breaded proteins are the fastest growing category of appetizers, up 8% year-over-year.

Ethnic-inspired skewers add both visual and flavor excitement to any appetizer menu, as well as the ability to customize without a lot of effort or product. From the Indonesian satay to Brazilian churrasco, Japanese yakitori, Middle Eastern kebab and beyond, skewers often involve simply grilled or roasted meats paired with a variety of simply prepared dipping sauces. For guests, it’s a fun, shareable and flavorful start to a meal, something to break the ice at a cocktail reception and, when done right, an Instagram-worthy plate.

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